Murder Details Called For- Women's Refuge

Women's Refuge has called on the Police to
immediately release all details surrounding the murder of a
New Lynn woman at the weekend despite a court protection
order against her estranged husband.

Chief executive
Merepeka Raukawa-Tait says by failing to take immediate
action when called upon at weekend the Police sent a woman
who had sought their help, home to her death.

"This is not
the time for the Police to trot out their usual refrain `
its under investigation-we can't comment'.

"At this moment
in New Zealand there are thousands of women who are
wondering just how much protection does a protection order
provide. These woman will be feeling very vulnerable and the
Police must now do something to show that they
care."

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait says Women's refuge knows all
too well that domestic violence is not given priority in
some police areas, and the latest incident must be taken as
a wake up call by the Police.

"This tragedy would not have
happened if the Police had taken the woman seriously.

"A
protection order had been taken out against the husband and
that alone should have alerted the Police. They should have
checked the conditions under which the protection order was
issued, if it was still current, had it been breached
before, the normal checking procedures and precautions that
should take place in any situation when a woman reports or
seeks assistance."

She says the Police's own manuals set
down clearly what they need to do, but under no
circumstances should a woman be allowed to return home
alone.

"Every domestic violence incident has the potential
to turn into a tragedy and until the Police understand that
each one needs to be seen in this light, woman and children
will continue to be killed in New Zealand."

Merepeka
Raukawa-Tait says that a Police report released last year
highlighted the fact the Police acted in a racist manner
when handling certain cases.

She says it is hoped this
was not a factor in the murder of Mrs. Jian
Huang.

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait says only by making the full
facts available immediately will questions in the public's
mind be
answered.

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